Brooch with an intaglio of George IV c. 1820-30
Siberian amethyst, diamonds; gold collet mount, framed by open scroll-shaped mounts in silver set with smaller brilliants, interspersed with eight larger cushion-cut diamonds, silver-gilt open back and brooch pin | 5.3 x 4.8 x 2.4 cm (with fittings) | RCIN 65532
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Intaglio bust of George IV (1762-1830) in profile to the right. He is bare headed and wears classical drapery around his shoulders. Signed in reverse below drapery: R . B & R . F t ., (for the Royal goldsmiths, Rundell, Bridge and Rundell from 1797 to 1840).
This brooch is not recorded in any royal inventories and thus its provenance remains uncertain. However, it may be identifiable with the ‘large Amethyst set with diamonds with George the Fourth’s head engraved upon it’ bequeathed by Princess Mary, Duchess of Gloucester, to Augusta, Duchess of Cambridge, in 1857. It may therefore have entered the Royal Collection through Queen Mary, who was the granddaughter of the Duchess of Cambridge.
Text adapted from Ancient and Modern Gems and Jewels in the Collection of Her Majesty The Queen, London, 2008Provenance
May be identifiable with the 'large Amethyst set with diamonds with George the Fourth's head engraved upon it' bequeathed by Princess Mary Duchess of Gloucester to Augusta Duchess of Cambridge in 1857. May therefore have entered the Royal Collection through Queen Mary, granddaughter of the Duchess of Cambridge.
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Creator(s)
(jeweller)Acquirer(s)
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Medium and techniques
Siberian amethyst, diamonds; gold collet mount, framed by open scroll-shaped mounts in silver set with smaller brilliants, interspersed with eight larger cushion-cut diamonds, silver-gilt open back and brooch pin
Measurements
5.3 x 4.8 x 2.4 cm (with fittings)
3.9 x 3.4 x 2.0 cm (intaglio)
